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What can Occupational Therapy Generalists do?

  • It is within the occupational therapy scope of practice to address the IADL of driving and community mobility.  

  • AOTA provides several resources, and evidence-based practice references to guide your practice 

 

  • The OT-DRIVE model is an excellent resource for generalists to provide an evidence-based risk assessment regarding a client’s fitness to drive. 

OT Drive pic.png

Source: Davis, E. S., & Dickerson, A. (2017). OT-DRIVE: Integrating the IADL of driving and community mobility into routine practice. OT Practice, 22(13), 8–14. 

  • ​EVALUATE 

    • Determine if driving is a RISK for the client by performing routine, typical OT evaluation, that includes assessment of vision, motor, cognition and sensory. 

    • Useful tools for generalists: 

§  OT-PAD 

§  Fitness to Drive Screening Measure 

 

 

  • FACILITATE Alternative Transportation Planning 

    • Plan for the Road Ahead is an excellent website that allows clients and families to plan ahead for their community mobility needs.   

    • The CDC My Mobility Plan is a helpful tool for older drivers and their families to record their plan for community mobility as well as other beneficial topics such as home safety. 

    • Support clients during transitioning from driver to non-driver by assisting older adults determine the best fit of alternative transportation options with their functional performance and client factors 

§  The Occupational Therapy Checklist of Community Mobility Skills  

 

  • REFER 

    • When a client is in the “YELLOW” per the OT-drive model, it is time to refer your client for a Comprehensive Driving Evaluation.  Please contact our program and we will be able to schedule your client for a comprehensive driving evaluation in order to best fit their needs.  

References: 

1.      Davis, E. S., & Dickerson, A. (2017). OT-DRIVE: Integrating the IADL of driving and community mobility into routine practice. OT Practice, 22(13), 8–14. 

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